bum rap

American  

[buhm rap] / ˈbʌm ˈræp /

Also bad rap

noun

Slang.

1. an unjust accusation, verdict, or punishment.

   He was sent to prison on a bum rap.

2. an adverse opinion or judgment considered undeserved or unjust.

   The review was a bum rap, but I liked the play.

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bum rap British  

noun

1. a trumped-up or false charge

2. an unjust punishment

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bum rap Idioms  

1. A false accusation or conviction; also, unfair criticism or action. For example, He claimed he was in prison on a bum rap, or The theater critics gave her last play a bum rap. This expression originated in the 1920s as underworld slang, and by the mid-1900s it was also used figuratively for other kinds of injustice.

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Etymology

Origin of bum rap

First recorded in 1910–15; bum ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “disappointing, unpleasant”) + rap ¹ ( def. ) (in the sense “blame, punishment, criminal charge”)

Example Sentences

But it’s a bum rap to blame the state government for not building more dams in California.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2023

But there is a level on which the president is getting a bum rap.

From Fox News • Jun. 2, 2020

On Epstein then, but later: “My relationship with him was entirely professional. It is a total bum rap to say that I ‘cavorted’ with him or was ‘chummy’ with him.”

From Slate • Jul. 9, 2019

In a word, no — that is a bum rap, in noir-speak.

From Washington Post • Jul. 5, 2018

The class laughed along with him, but I always thought cliches got a bum rap.

From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini